You mention Cristiano Ronaldo and, always, within 10 seconds, someone will raise Lionel Messi.
The couple divided the rivalry probably greater than previously ever seen in team sports.
For more than two decades and fueled by the growth of social media, the debate raged from Sydney to Nova Scotland. Who is better? Ronaldo or Messi?
Their career is inextricably linked, sharing narratives related to elite clubs and elite competitions since they broke out at the scene in the early 2000s. Millions of words written to encourage one or the other.
🔥 Máximos Goleadores de la Historia del fútbol
🇵🇹 Cristiano 9⃣2⃣3⃣ (1261 Partidos)
🇦🇷 Messi 8⃣5⃣0⃣ (1083 Partidos) pic.twitter.com/xm6hcj6ryw– Mundo Deportivo (@mundodePortivo) 4 February 2025
Ronaldo still tells himself
Ronaldo indulged in a conversation more than Messi. On Monday, he appeared on Spanish TV to declare himself a “most complete player who ever existed.”
He added, “I do everything in football. I play well with my head, take good free kicks, I have my left leg, my right leg, I’m strong …
“People could love [Lionel] Messi, Messi [Diego] Maradona or Pele, and I respect that, but I am the most complete. “
His willingness that conversations may come from the knowledge that if a global survey is being held, he will probably come to another place in the popularity of his Argentine rival.
It is a claim that cannot be proven, but most importantly, it should not diminish a truly extraordinary career. The judgment of one time should not always be through the context of another.
Both still still strongly
Ronaldo and Messi are now in the dusk of their careers, seeing their toys in Saudi Arabia and Florida’s countries, where the sun always shines, and bank accounts are collecting additional compounds on a daily basis.
This does not mean that they are still mitigated.
After the captain of Argentina at Copa America Glory last year, Messi returned to Inter Miami to lead his franchise to the shield of supporters.
Ronaldo scored a bracelet last night, including a trademark that defied gravity, while the Al Nasr in the Asian Champions League inserted Al Wasl 4-0. He is also the top scorer in Pro -League this season with 15 goals in 17 games, and has scored 923 times in his career.
Men can’t fly.
Him: pic.twitter.com/racggplnh6
– ALNASSR FC (@alnassrfc_en) 3. February 2025
There are no signs that it will slow it down while it chases this elusive 1000. Goal.
“I’m so competitive that sometimes I forget what I achieved,” he said, “because it gives me motivation to do more and do better every year … I think it’s a difference with others. Someone else in my position would leave football before 10 year.
It may be unlikely that he would ever admit it, but Ronaldo and Messi are incredibly similar in appearance, if not always approaches.
The Portuguese are extremely expressive, demanding and, occasionally, disgust.
Every player who shared a locker room with Messi in Barcelona during his peak would recognize all these qualities in South America.
So what now?
Well, Messi is 38 this year, but he has already stated his desire to lead his country as they try to defend their crown of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Ronaldo will also hope to be there with Portugal. Until then, he may have achieved his specified goal of 1000 career strikes.
We can, but dream, but Final Argentina vs. Portugal-which is not completely amazing-it would be perfect to send if they decide to go down to the sunset.
As for who was better? Who cares. We may have been left two years since this lovely chapter in the history of football. Enjoy them, nurture them, we will miss them when they are gone.
